Mayor outlines 2026 priorities, highlights infrastructure work, lodging-tax trends and arts grant

Mayor Mary delivered a year-start message that summarized the city's recent accomplishments and fiscal condition and previewed priorities for 2026.

The mayor said sales-and-use tax receipts were roughly stable with a slight year-over-year decline in November and a small increase in December. Lodging-tax collections varied modestly, and the mayor noted both a government shutdown and a recent mass shooting that led to event cancellations and likely affected downtown lodging revenues. The mayor also highlighted the opening of a new fire station, reinvestments in community centers and infrastructure work including trails and sidewalks.

She credited more than 2,400 city employees for recent work and noted a gasoline-tax increase and an additional 3-cent tax earmarked for paving and bridge repairs. The mayor also recognized the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra for receiving a National Endowment for the Arts grant for a new oratorio commemorating the Selma and Montgomery marches; the premiere was announced for Feb. 9, 2026 at Troy University's Davis Theater.

The mayor closed by previewing the state-of-the-city address scheduled in February, announcing a mayor's neighborhood banquet and introducing new human-resources director Stephanie Kendrick, who the mayor said brings more than 20 years of HR leadership experience.